Texas has invested “billions of dollars in new, state of the art generation, smart grid technology and storm hardening equipment,” surpassing Florida in these areas, writes former Florida Public Service Commission chair Nancy Argenziano. She advocates deregulating Florida’s electricity market. (photo: Sun Sentinel)

I believe any perception of my viewing Florida Power and Light through a “bitter and acrimonious lens” is not the result of an inappropriate bias, but the result of witnessing their undue economic influence on legislators and the Public Service Commission.

Despite describing FPL as Mother Teresa in its provision of renewable energy to the citizens of Florida, FPL actually only invests in clean energy when it benefits FPL.

FPL’s big claim to planned solar installations — their yet to be approved “Solar Together” program — caps out at 745 MW, paling in comparison to the Texas competitive market planning 4,091 MW.

Gexa Energy, one of FPL’s parent company NextEra’s competitive retail provider, provides Texas customers with 100 percent renewable fixed rate plans at rates around 7.5 cents a kWh. FPL’s most recent price is 9.9 cents per kWh, with a renewable percentage of not more than five or six percent.

Nancy Argenziano is a former state representative, former state senator and former member of the Florida Public Service Commission, which she chaired in 2010. (Handout)

Thus, Florida ratepayers pay 33 percent more at the same rate stratum, a savings which would eclipse FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy’s vaunted, alleged $2 billion advantage to FPL consumers.

Texas also has invested “billions of dollars in new, state of the art generation, smart grid technology and storm hardening equipment,” surpassing Florida in these areas: nearly 100 percent of retail choice customers in Texas enjoy the benefits of smart meter technology. There are also no utility-funded laws limiting customer-owned or leased solar panels.

According to poweroutage.us, Mr. Silagy’s implication that Florida avoids the threat of power outage better than Texas is not borne by the data.

He accuses me of being ignorant of a crisis in Texas energy supply. But the recent $9 per kilowatt-hour for electricity only occurred for four hours. Again he’s cherry-picking data. It had less than a penny per kilowatt-hour impact over the last year and little effect on the consumer. This is why Gexa Energy, sister company to FP&L proves it by offering right now 7.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in Texas while FPL’s rate is 33 percent higher in Florida.

I truly have the greatest appreciation and respect for the dedicated mainline FPL workers, but I admit there is no love lost between me and FPL executives

Nancy Argenziano is a former state representative, former state senator and former member of the Florida Public Service Commission, which she chaired in 2010.